Brighton & Hove Albion have appointed Gus Poyet as their new manager. Poyet, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United coach, has agreed a contract until the end of next season, and will be assisted by his former Spurs team-mate Mauricio Taricco.

The League One club's chairman, Steve Bloom, who turned to Poyet after Steve Coppell rejected the chance of a return to the south coast club in favour of holding out for a Premier League or Championship team, said Poyet was an "exceptional" choice. "Gus is one of the best up-and-coming young coaches in this country and we are delighted to give him his first opportunity in management," said Bloom.

"His credentials are exceptional and all of the reports we have had on his coaching ability are outstanding. I am certain he will be a big success with the Albion."

The post is the 41-year-old Uruguayan's first managerial position and it is an opportunity he is relishing. "I have been waiting for this opportunity since I left Tottenham," he said. "I'm convinced we can do well."

Poyet's first game will be at Southampton on Sunday as he seeks to lift Brighton away from the depths of League One – they are currently fifth from bottom. "I never hid as a player or as an assistant manager, so I won't be hiding on Sunday," he said. "We will go there with some good training under our belts and we will go there to win the game."